Share it:

Agency Type:

Funding Source:

Deadline Date:

Description:

In-kind support to USA, Canada, and International primary and secondary schools (for students ages 8-18) for curriculum and materials to support STEM programs that educate youth on the value of additive manufacturing. Schools will receive donations of polymer 3D printers and related educational curriculum.

This year, the Program includes a new subsidy program that allows any organization or individual to apply for a subsidy to purchase Polar Cloud-enabled 3D printers and curricula on behalf of educational institutions.

Funding is intended to give students across all grades exposure to additive manufacturing. This will help promote interest in STEM and create a pipeline of qualified engineers and technicians to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing.

The Program is building an ecosystem for 3D printing in education by networking students, machines and content via an online platform, the Polar Cloud. Educators and students from participating schools join the Polar Cloud to access the tools being provided under the Program, including 3D printers, curricula, design software, apps, competitions and more in a collaborative and secure environment.

Participating schools can help grow the ecosystem and the value it provides students by:

- Access: get as many students, parents and educators as possible on the platform.
- Access: connecting the 3D printers to the Polar Cloud and making them available "share" with educators and students.
- Engagement: be active, utilize the curricula, encourage students to use the design tools, participate in Program competitions, collaborate on the platform, be entrepreneurial.
- Engagement: print, print, print.

Applicants will be reviewed and selections based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to:

1. Geography: the Program is global.
2. Leaders: preference to schools that commit to drive student access, engagement and to showcase student and classroom works on the platform
3. Talent: preference to schools that commit to participate in Program Challenges and other Program activities aimed to reward student and classroom performance.
4. Potential: preference to schools that lack 3D printing equipment (0-3 printers) but have a strong commitment to STEAM and the resources necessary to drive student access and engagement on the platform.
5. Ambassadors: preference to schools that are experienced with 3D printing and willing to be very active on the platform including supporting other Program schools, educators and students.